Posts Tagged ‘COVER SONGS’

ABBA: “Dancing Queen”

Posted: March 18, 2015 in Reigning Pooh-Bah Maximus of Cover Tune, THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , ,
5
Tune du Jour: “Dancing Queen” – ABBA
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Milo Binder vs. Glow
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

space

And In My Hour of Need, I Truly Am Indeed, Alone Again, Broccoli ...

And In My Hour of Need,
I Truly Am Indeed,
Alone Again, Broccoli …

Dancing Queen was released by ABBA in August 1976. It is commonly referred to as one of the most successful singles of the 1970s. Dancing Queen became a massive worldwide hit, topping the charts in more than a dozen countries including ABBA’s native Sweden (where it spent 14 weeks at the top), Australia, Belgium, Brazil, West Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico,the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway (where it charted for 32 weeks), making it the 11th best-performing single of all time in that country), South Africa and Rhodesia. Dancing Queen also topped the charts in the United States, ABBA’s only #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a Top 5 hit in Austria, Canada, Finland, France and Switzerland. The song sold over three million copies. And yet, it is still remarkably atrocious. Or, to put it more technically, it is unequivocally an “auditive malady”.

space

The Original

space (space)

ABBA:

space (space)

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

space (space)

As alluded to above, despite the substantial acclaim achieved and accolades bestowed upon it, this is truly an abysmal song, the quintessential auditive malady. The 1970s probably produced the worst body of music in the last century and very possibly the entire history of the planet. And Dancing Queen certainly is exemplary in epitomizing all that was wrong with the 70s music scene; perfectly straight pearly white teeth centering witless, blissful, smiley faced “musicians” donning polyester, pastel leisure suits while assaulting the listening public with insipid lyrics that convey vapid bubble-gum bromides, which were required for the era’s pretentious dance gyrations and subsequent vacuous mating rituals. Songs of this era are easily mocked and lampooned.

Yet, despite covering a dead-weight anchor of a song, the offerings below are quite frankly brilliant, in that they manage to make this disaster (aka Dancing Queen)  actually enjoyable and, particularly in the case of Milo Binder, sound poignant! Skeptical, are you? Well, bang on …

space (space)

Milo Binder vs. Glow
Milo Binder:

Milo Binder holds the distinction of being CMI’s Reigning Exultant Virtuosic Performer of Dancing Queen. Additionally, Milo Binder is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow!

Milo Binder’s triumph in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:

1/3/2014 – “Dancing Queen” (ABBA) – Milo Binder  (84%) thumps Robbie Fulks (16%)

Glow:

space (space)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

space (space)

space (space)

Votes can be cast up to three months from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

Mark James / B. J. Thomas: “Hooked On A Feeling”

Posted: March 17, 2015 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
4
Tune du Jour: “Hooked On A Feeling” – B.J. Thomas
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Slugs vs. Trudbol
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

space

I'm Hooked On The Ceiling I'm High On Believing That You're In Love With Me

I’m Hooked On The Ceiling
I’m High On Believing
That You’re In Love With Me

Hooked On A Feeling was written by Mark James and released in 1968 by B.J. Thomas. As we all know, Thomas’ version is best know for including an electric sitar. 1969 was obviously ripe for a pop song featuring an electric sitar as it was in that year Thomas’ Hooked On A Feeling charted number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Musical scholars have long differed on the reason the electric sitar was ready to take the States by storm. RDubbs has long posited that it dates back to Tug McGraw’s alcohol-inspired, electric sitar rendition of Luck Be A Lady on Kiner’s Korner immediately following one of the New York Mets’ many seemingly implausible victories down the stretch of the miraculous ’69 baseball season. (Oh, if the Tugger’s musical talents had only been passed on to his unfortunate son…). 

In 1971, the now famous Jonathan King released his own version of Hooked On A Feeling. Desiring “a reggae rhythm by male voices” – whatever the heck that means – King added the signature hooga chaka chants to the song (because nothing embodies “a reggae rhythm by male voices” like a couple of pasty white Brits chanting hooga chaka).

And that my friends brings us to Blue Swede, who in fact were not blue but were apparently from Sweden. Released in 1974, the Swede’s cover of Hooked On A Feeling, which retained the now beloved reggae rhythm of male voices chants, reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, Swede did commit the unforgivable sin of  stripping out from the original lyrics some minor references to drug use, replacing it with some pathetic, bubble-gum, tripe-inspired chorus. Yet, even so, many years later they were bestowed the ultimate honor of having their version of Hooked On A Feeling included in the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s phenomenal 1992 first film Reservoir Dogs.

The Original

space (space)

B.J. Thomas:

space (space)

The “Turning Point”

space (space)

Jonathan King:

First known successful infusion of “reggae rhythm by male voices” into modern-day music!

space (space)

The Most Popular

space (space)

Blue Swede:

space (space)

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

space (space)

The Slugs vs. Trudbol

space (space)

The Slugs:

Trudbol:

space (space)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

space (space)

space (space)

Votes can be cast up to three months from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

Fleetwood Mac: “Go Your Own Way”

Posted: March 13, 2015 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , , , ,
5
Tune du Jour: “Go Your Own Way” – Fleetwood Mac
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: NOFX vs. Schlong
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

space

Everybody's Dressin' Funny ... Cover Me Impressed!

Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny …
Cover Me Impressed!

Go Your Own Way was released in 1977 on Fleetwood Mac’s album, Rumours. Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks had been bickering big-time, growing ever tired of each other and not much caring to hide it any longer. Hence the “genius” of the song. Go Your Own Way was an instant hit, rising to number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it the band’s first top-ten hit. It has endured as one of Fleetwood Mac’s most popular songs. Go Your Own Way ranked number 120 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list. 

I do not care for this song at all, which is not surprising considering I do not care for Fleetwood Mac at all. However, Go Your Own Way does make for some great punk, cover fodder.

space

The Original

space (space)

Fleetwood Mac:

space 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

space (space)

NOFX vs. Schlong

space (space)

NOFX:
Schlong:

Schlong is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow!

Schlong’s triumph in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:

1/13/2014 – “America” (West Side Story) – Schlong (64%) dispose of The Nice (36%)

space (space)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

space (space)

space (space)

Votes can be cast up to three months from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

Dennis Linde / Arthur Alexander: “Burning Love”

Posted: March 12, 2015 in Reigning Pooh-Bah Maximus of Cover Tune, THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , , , ,
8
Tune du Jour: “Burning Love” – Elvis Presley
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Kingsized vs. The Residents
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

space

Why Can't You See, I'm Just A Stalk of Broccoli Incapable of Cheatin' On You, Baby...

Why Can’t You See,
I’m Just A Stalk of Broccoli,
Incapable of Cheatin’ On You, Baby…

Burning Love was written by Dennis Linde and first released by Arthur Alexander in 1972. Alexander’s version failed to make many waves. A few months later, Elvis Presley released his killer cover of Burning Love, which quickly rose to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Chuck Berry’s My Ding-A-Ling kept Burning Love from reaching #1, thereby proving that the early 70’s just might have been the horniest period in American history. But that’s fodder for another post on a different day.

Burning Love was Elvis’ 40th and last Top Ten hit on the US charts. But if this was going to be his final real rocker then at least he left one of the best for last. I mean, c’mon, how many artists could throw down the line “I’m just a hunk-a, hunk-a burnin’ love” and pull it off with aplomb? Let’s just say you could maybe count them up on one hand after a major industrial accident, if you know what I mean…and I think you do!

The brilliance of Burnin’ Love is that it manages to meld rock with gospel, all the while soaked with raw, passionate desire. As Steve Huey of AllMusic aptly puts it:

“Presley gives a supremely passionate performance that rivals his most incendiary ’50s work. The lyrics never depart from the theme of smoldering passion, but the chorus — “Your kisses lift me higher/Like the sweet song of a choir” (which happens to be backing Presley’s vocals) — imparts a gospel-ish transcendence that elevates earthly love into a spiritual experience. There are several occasions where Presley allows the music to carry him away, humming and moaning to keep the feeling going in between lyrics. Yet, while he’s larger than life, he’s never over the top — when you’ve reclaimed your title as the King of rock & roll, there’s nothing to prove, and Presley’s cool (but not complacent) assurance keeps things grounded amidst all the storm and fire. Drummer Ronnie Tutt straddles the two sensibilities well; he knows when to lay back and let the beat swing, but also when to drive the song with explosive bursts in between the vocals, and proves a major supporting player.”

A few tidbits, which may very well be true:

Writer of the song, Dennis Linde, kicks out the opening guitar jam as well as a few other licks throughout Presley’s version of Burning’ Love.

Bruce Springsteen consistently covered the song in his live shows of the late 90’s and early 2000’s.

Burning Love was used as the wake-up song on the 2008 space shuttle mission STS-123.

The Simpsons’ paid homage to the song, titling a 2001 episode “A-Hunka-Hunka Burns in Love“.

Perhaps the single greatest performance of the song was RDubbs‘ legendary and much-revered throw-down a decade or two ago at a Star Bar karaoke night.

 

The Original

space (space)

Arthur Alexander:

space (space)

The Most Popular

space (space)

Elvis Presley:

space (space)

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

space (space)

Kingsized vs. The Residents

space (space)

Kingsized:

Kingsized holds the distinction of being CMI’s Reigning Exultant Virtuosic Performer of “Burning Love”. Additionally, Kingsized is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Tri Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold green!

Kingsized’s triumphal exploits in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competitions are detailed below:

11/26/2013 – THE CLASH of the Mini Medleys: Tongo Hiti (75%) – “My Heart Will Go On” (Celine Dion); “Rebel Yell” (Billy Idol); and some God-awful Metalica song (Metalica) vanguish Tiny Tim & The New Duncan Imperials (25%) – “Tennessee Waltz” (Cowboy Copas); “Back in the Saddle” (Gene Autry); and “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (Hank Williams)

11/11/2013 – “Burning Love” (Arthur Alexander) – Kingsized (100%) obliterate Swing Cats (0%)

11/2/2013 – “Pinball Wizard” (The Who) – Mike Geier & the Reverend Horton Heat (88%) trounce Sandy Nelson (12%)

The Residents:

Okay, this one was included solely for the video. Stuff like this just kills me.

space (space)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

space (space)

space (space)

Votes can be cast up to three months from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

Television: “Marquee Moon”

Posted: March 11, 2015 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , ,
4
Tune du Jour: “Marquee Moon” – Television
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Army of Halfwits vs. Nutley Brass
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

space

"Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs." - Milton Friedbyrd

“Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs.” – Milton Friedbyrd

Marquee Moon appeared on Television‘s first album, which coincidentally enough was also named Marquee Moon. Television was one of the earliest contributors to the new wave genre of the early to mid-70s. They were the first great band to emerge from New York’s infamous venue, CBGB. In fact, according to Mark Deming of AllMusic, they literally built the stage at CBGB. Released in 1977, Marquee Moon had been a staple of the band’s early live shows, becoming more complex and challenging over time. Richard Hell supposedly left the band because the song eventually became too difficult for him to play. Again quoting Mark Deming: “The original studio version is one of the great guitar moments in rock history (Verlaine’s final solo is nothing short of sublime), and Television’s live renditions of the tune (preserved today on a handful of bootlegs and the semi-authorized live document The Blow Up) are, if anything, even more impressive.”

space

The Original

space (space)

Television:

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

space (space)

Army of Halfwits vs. Nutley Brass

space (space)

Army of Halfwits:

(Points scored right off the bat for the band’s name.)

Nutley Brass:

Who doesn’t love a brass band?

Nutley Brass is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow!

Nutley Brass’ triumph in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:

1/19/2014 – “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” (Ramones) – Nutley Brass (100%) annihilates Boris the Sprinkler (0%)

space (space)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

space (space)

space (space)

Votes can be cast up to three months from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

The Temptations: “Just My Imagination”

Posted: March 9, 2015 in Reigning Pooh-Bah Maximus of Cover Tune, THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags:
4
Tune du Jour: “Just My Imagination” – The Tempatations
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Ted Hawkins vs. The Rolling Stones
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com
I Shouted Out, "Who Ate The Broccoli?", When After All, It Was You And Me...

I Shouted Out, “Who Ate The Broccoli?”, When After All, It Was You And Me…

Perhaps The Temptations seminal work, Just My Imagination, was released in 1971 on the album Sky’s The Limit. The single was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks and number one on the Billboard R&B chart for three weeks. The song ended up being The Temptations’ original members’ last number one hit. Afterwards Eddie Kendricks left the band to pursue a solo career and Paul Williams was forced to retire for health reasons. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine listed Just My Imagination as number 389 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The Original

space (space)

The Temptations:

space (space)

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

space (space)

Ted Hawkins vs. The Rolling Stones

space (space)

Ted Hawkins:

Ted Hawkins is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold gold!

Ted Hawkins‘ triumph in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:

1/20/2014 – “The 59th St. Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)” (Simon & Garfunkel) – Ted Hawkins (67%) prevails over The Coolies (33%)

The Rolling Stones:

space (space)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

space (space)

space (space)

Votes can be cast up to three months from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

SINGLES ONLY: R.E.M.’s “Exhuming McCarthy” and Neil Young’s “World On A String”

Posted: March 6, 2015 in Singles Only
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
1
Tune une la Jour: R.E.M.’s “Exhuming McCarthy” by Hubbard’s Cupboard
Tune deux du Jour: Neil Young’s “World On A String” by Nils Lofgren
RELAX, NO CLASH TODAY!
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

space

Singles Only

And In My Hour of Need, I Truly Am Indeed, Alone Again, Broccoli ...

And In My Hour of Need,
I Truly Am Indeed,
Alone Again, Broccoli …

Singles are cover songs without a mate (or, for CMI’s purposes, an opponent). My dedicated team and I have diligently searched through our impeccable resources and have come to the conclusion that these particular songs were covered only once. Oh, in some instances, we may have found a cover by a pseudo-musician (think Billy Joel or, gulp, an unfortunate equivalent). But we’ll have none of that here at CMI! You may ask, why would a band cover a song so obscure that no other legitimate group is interested in also doing so? Well let me put it this way: How the hell should I know? But I do have a few of these rarities in my database and they too warrant an audience. As such, it is your solemn responsibility to receive them with discerning ears, bright eyes, bated breath and palpable zeal. There’ll be no competition on this day. Rather unabashed reverence, reflection and repose.

Relax…Indulge…Enjoy…Send me $173…

space

Exhuming McCarthy – The Original

space (space)

R.E.M.’s fifth album, Document, was released in 1987. It included Exhuming McCarthy, a stinging rebuke of Ronald Reagan’s militaristic agenda, unbridled blind nationalism and economic policies that favored corporations and the super wealthy. The song parallels the Reagan Administration’s aggressive and heavy-handed rhetoric with the red-baiting of Joseph McCarthy. An excerpt from the McCarthy hearings can be heard midway through the song.

R.E.M.:

space (space)

Exhuming McCarthy – The Cover

space

From the R.E.M. tribute album, Reconstructing The Fables, released in 1999 on Throwing Stones Records.

Hubbards Cupboard:

space (space)

World On A String – The Original

space (space)

World On A String appears on Neil Young’s ragged, yet superlative sixth album, Tonight’s The Night. Coming on the heals of losing a close friend (Bruce Berry) and a beloved band mate (Danny Whitten), both from heroin overdoses within a six month period of each other, Tonight’s The Night was Neil’s dark, emotional expression of grief and loss as well as his disillusionment with fame and commercial success. The album was recorded in 1973, most of which in a single day. Consisting primarily of first-takes, Tonight’s The Night includes mistakes, raw vocals and shifting tempos, all of which work brilliantly with the mournful, sullen tone of the material. Stories conflict as to why, but for whatever reason, Tonight’s The Night was not released until 1975, almost two years after it was recorded.

Neil Young:

space (space)

World On A String – The Cover

space

Nils Lofgren did his first real acoustic guitar and piano session work in 1970 on Neil Young’s After The Gold Rush album. Neil lent Lofgren his Martin D-18 guitar to use on After The Gold Rush (the same guitar appears on the inside photo of the album leaning against the wall next to Neil). When After The Gold Rush was completed, Neil gave Lofgren the Martin guitar as a gift. Not surprisingly, Lofgren used that Martin guitar on his Neil Young tribute album, The Loner – Nils Sings Neil, which included Lofgren’s cover of World On A String. Lofgren was also a part of Neil’s ensemble of musicians that played on Tonight’s The Night.

Nils Lofgren:

space (space)

Huey “Piano” Smith & His Clowns: “Sea Cruise”

Posted: March 4, 2015 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
4
Tune du Jour: “Sea Cruise” – Frankie Ford with Huey “Piano” Smith & His Clowns
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Rico vs. Yo La Tengo
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

space

You Broke My Will, Oh What A Thrill, Goodness Gracious Great Balls Of Broccoli!

You Broke My Will, Oh What A Thrill, Goodness Gracious Great Balls Of Broccoli!

A real confusing history to this song. Sea Cruise was composed by Huey “Piano” Smith. It was first recorded by Huey “Piano” Smith & His Clowns at Johnny Vincent’s Ace Records in 1959. The lead singer on the original recording was Bobby Marchan. Vincent loved the music but, for reasons that are not entirely clear, decided to ax Marchan from the recording. It may have been that Vincent felt the vocals could be improved upon. It may have been for racial reasons (Marchan was black). Or it may have simply been that Vincent disliked Marchan on a personal level, which is the reason most in the industry seem to believe. Whatever the reason, enter 19 year-old, up-and-coming vocalist Frankie Ford. Vincent cut Marchan’s singing from the recording, added some nautical sounds and over dubbed Frankie Ford on vocals. Sea Cruise, with Frankie Ford on vocals, quickly became a huge success, reaching No. 14 on the US Charts.

Frankie Ford had changed some of the lyrics slightly so he could get songwriter credit. Ultimately, Huey Smith received little-to-no royalties on the song he wrote and composed. In 1971, twelve years after Frankie Ford’s version, the original version of Sea Cruise with Bobby Marchan on vocals was finally released.

The Original Recording

space (space)

Huey “Piano” Smith & His Clowns featuring Bobby Marchan on Vocals:

space (space)

The First Released Recording

space (space)

Frankie Ford with Huey “Piano” Smith & His Clowns:

space (space)

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

space (space)

Rico vs. Yo La Tengo

space (space)

Rico:

Yo La Tengo:

Yo La Tengo is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow!

Yo La Tengo’s triumph in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:

10/1/2013 – “Somebody’s Baby” (Jackson Browne) – Yo La Tengo (90%) annihilate The Gamits (10%)

Beginning in 1996, Yo La Tengo supported the fundraising efforts of New York’s world-renowned independent radio outlet, WFMU, with annual studio visits. All listeners who pledged money during the band’s appearances were offered the chance to request a favorite song that Yo La Tengo would then attempt to perform; no rehearsals, no advance word of what the requests might be, just plug it in and kick it out. The spontaneous element is impressive and, at times, hysterical.

space (space)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

space (space)

space (space)

Votes can be cast up to three months from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

Bob Dylan: “Girl From The North Country”

Posted: March 3, 2015 in Reigning Pooh-Bah Maximus of Cover Tune, THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
10
Tune du Jour: “Girl From the North Country” – Bob Dylan
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Eels vs. The Waterboys
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

space

You used to be so amused, At Broccoli Man and the carrot for a guitar he used ...

You used to be so amused, At Broccoli Man and the carrot for a guitar he used …

Girl From the North Country was released in 1963 on Bob Dylan’s second album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Dylan wrote the song after his first visit to England. During his stay, Dylan became friendly with an English folk singer by the name of Martin Carthy. Carthy introduced to Dylan a number of English traditional folk songs including his own arrangement of Scarborough Fair, a ballad that dates back to Medieval times. Dylan composed Girl From The North Country in the spirit and cadence of an old English folk song, going so far as to clip a line straight from Scarborough Fair: “For she was once a true love of mine”. A few years later Paul Simon would steal much more than a line, he pilfered Carthy’s whole arrangement! But that’s another story … and not a very pleasant one at that.

Girl From the North County is an infectious ballad of a man’s love who has moved on and away. Much speculation revolves around which of three former girlfriends inspired Dylan to pen the song. But in fact, it was written about me. Although only two at the time I had a major impact on Dylan, assuring and providing him with much needed confidence and direction. Embarrassed by his adoration of a two year-old, Bob chose to mask my identity by writing of a girl who moved abroad.

Though never a hit, Girl From the North Country has become one of Dylan’s more enduring songs. Dylan often performs it in concerts – including his 30th Anniversary Concert Extravaganza (or as Neil Young dubbed it, “Bobfest”) – and it has been recorded by over 50 musicians.

The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan

space

space (space)

Nashville Country: Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash

space

In 1969 Dylan re-released Girl From the North Country on his album Nashville Skyline, this time singing the song as a duet with Johnny Cash. Bob had previously quit smoking and his voice sounded better than it had in years. But it’s anyone’s guess as to how much rehearsing the two did prior to recording. Exchanging verses, Bob kicks off the song with its first verse but when Johnny’s turn comes up he goes right into the third verse. Without missing a beat Bob follows with the second verse. And when they combine to sing there’s clearly confusion on where to go from there. It’s debatable whether the fourth verse gets sung at all as Bob and Johnny differ on a line or two, kind of melding the fourth and final verses together. But other than that it’s great. Actually, no kidding, it is great.

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

space (space)

Eels vs. The Waterboys
Eels:
The Waterboys:

The Waterboys hold the distinction of being CMI’s Reigning Exultant Virtuosic Performer of “Girl From the North Country”. Additionally, The Waterboys are recipients of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow! The Waterboys‘ triumph in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:

10/23/2013 – “Girl From the North Country” (Bob Dylan) – The Waterboys (71%) thump Eddie Vedder (29%)

space (space)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

space (space)

space (space)

Votes can be cast up to three months from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

U2: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”

Posted: March 2, 2015 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , , , ,
8
Tune du Jour: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” – U2
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Coco Freeman and Rhythms del Mundo with U2
vs. The Persuasions
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

space

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For was released in 1987 on U2’s fifth album The Joshua Tree. It debuted at number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100. After nearly 2 months on the chart, the song reached number one and stayed there for two weeks; it remained on the chart for 17 weeks. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.

So Where Are the Strong, And Who Are the Trusted, And Where is the Broccoli, Sweet Broccoli!

So Where Are the Strong, And Who Are the Trusted, And Where is the Broccoli, Sweet Broccoli!

In 1988, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For received two nominations for a Grammy Award, for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. (Extra credit if you can tell me what the difference is…on second thought don’t bother, I’m actually not very interested.)

In 2001 I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For was ranked number 120 on the RIAA’s list of 365 Songs of the Century, a project intended to “promote a better understanding of America’s musical and cultural heritage”. (Apparently RIAA did not get the memo that U2 is, in fact, an Irish band.) In 2003, a special edition issue of Q, titled 1001 Best Songs Ever, placed I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For at number 148 on its list of greatest songs. In 2005, Blender ranked the song at number 443 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born. In 2010, Rolling Stone magazine placed the song at number 93 of its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. And finally, the staff of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame selected I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For as one of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

(Just about all of the above was extracted from Wikipedia, at least whatever is accurate.)

The Original

space (space)

U2:

space (space)

And Now For Something Completely Different

space

I had to include this classic simply because I had to. Interesting, Bizarre, Irreverent (But Most of All, Good, Somewhat Clean, Fun!). Stick with it and you will be rewarded immensely…

Negativland:

space (space)

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

space (space)

Coco Freeman & Rhythms del Mundo with U2 vs. The Persuasions

space (space)

Coco Freeman & Rhythms del Mundo with U2:

Normally the inclusion of the original band would be a disqualifier for competition. But they must have had Bono tied-up in the back because U2 seems to have stayed way in the background for this cover.

The Persuasions:

The Persuasions are recipients of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow!

The Persuasions‘ triumph in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competitions is detailed below:

11/12/2013 – “Slip Slidin’ Away” (Paul Simon) – The Persuasions (57%) triumph over the Avett Brothers (43%)

space (space)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

space (space)

space (space)

Votes can be cast up to three months from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

Older Entries
Newer Entries